For Alejandro Bedoya, Friday mornings are almost always matchday minus one.
The team routinely meets at Subaru Park for their final training session before pursuing three points – a benefit of having the Philadelphia Union’s entire organization on one campus. Since Bedoya signed with the Union, the team has emerged victorious in 149 of those subsequent regular-season matches.
They’ll hope that’s the case on Decision Day, following a rainy and sentimental last practice before the postseason.
Soon, days as such will be fond memories for Bedoya. The now 39-year-old Colombian-American midfielder from Englewood, New Jersey, is hanging up his boots.
On Monday, Bedoya announced he’d be retiring from soccer at the end of the season – his 11th with the Union.
Just over a decade after he joined the club, Saturday, November 7th will mark his final regular season match at the stadium he’s called 'home' for the better part of his 17-year professional career.
Bedoya is a locker room guy.
While he’s the oldest player on the team, he’s often described as ‘a kid at heart’ and known to be the glue that binds the veteran players with the up-and-coming young talent that make up the Union's roster.
It’s part of what has earned him the captain’s armband, which he so dutifully sported while leading the club through the most successful period in its existence.
He’ll retire with two Supporters’ Shields – both lifted at Subaru Park, and an Eastern Conference Championship.
It was only fitting that during the Union’s final regular-season training session, the team that he’s poured so much into had a scheme planned to commemorate the moment for their captain.
Game prep came first, but afterwards, Bedoya was given the sendoff he deserves.
At the end of training, his attention was turned to the videoboard in the stadium, playing a series of messages, starting and ending with his family.
Between were words from players and coaches he’s grown close to throughout his illustrious career, which featured stops at Nantes, Helsingborgs IF, Rangers, Orbero, and lastly, the Union. For country, he proudly represented the United States Men’s National Team, appearing in the 2014 World Cup.
The messages hit home. Especially the final encouragement from former teammate turned best friend, Jakob Glesnes, and, of course, the Bedoyas – his wife, Bea, their daughter Milena, and their son, Santino. All four were decked out in full Viking attire – an homage to Bea and Jakob’s shared hometown, Bergen, Norway, where Bedoya’s family now lives.
While the captain took in the moment, his team quietly sat down behind him and, to his surprise, began their own rendition of the Norwegian National Team’s iconic ‘Ro!’ celebration popularized during this summer’s FIFA World Cup (during which Bedoya was a broadcaster). The chant was led by Homegrown Nathan Harriel, striking the Union’s iconic drum used before every home match.
It was the perfect sendoff to Scandinavia, where he’ll join his wife and kids.
This chapter is one Bedoya will not forget. The Philadelphia Union won’t either.
A decade is a long time – Bedoya has impacted the community while building his own – not just through success on the pitch, but activism in the city, and immersion in its culture. From championing gun violence prevention and promoting impactful city initiatives like bringing six World Cup games to Philadelphia, to nights dining out in the city’s vibrant food scene, and attending many, many Philly sports games – Bedoya embraced Philadelphia and Philadelphia embraced Bedoya.
Just his teammates did, fans will have a chance to celebrate the club’s captain during his final regular season home match on Saturday night. Click below for tickets to bid Bedoya a fond farewell on the riverfront!
